I had an outstanding experience with Athelene! From the initial consultation to the final resolution, Athelene and her team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise. Athelene was incredibly responsive, kept me informed throughout the process, and provided clear guidance every step of the way. I highly recommend Claimsplus Lawyers to anyone in need of reliable and effective support when claiming a TPD through your superannuation fund.
Total & Permanent Disability
TPD Claims Through Super
If you’ve stopped working due to illness or injury, you may have a valid Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claim through your superannuation. TPD insurance is commonly included in super. Many people are never told they have it — and only discover it after they can no longer work.
Lump sum
insurance payout through super
Am I eligible?
This may apply to you if…
You don’t need to meet every condition. If any of the following sounds like your situation, a free check can help clarify where you stand.
You stopped working due to illness or injury and have not returned
You have — or have ever had — a superannuation account in Australia
Your doctors have said you are unlikely to return to your previous work
You’re not sure whether your super fund includes TPD insurance cover
Why Claimsplus
Why people choose Claimsplus for tpd claims through super
Lump sum
Insurance payout through super
No win
No fee unless we win
Australian
Claims lawyers, not referrals
End-to-end
Cover check to payout
Understanding your claim
What is a TPD claim?
A TPD claim is an insurance claim made against a policy usually held inside your super fund.
Most super-based TPD policies assess whether you are unlikely to ever return to work in an occupation suited to your education, training, or experience. This is often referred to as an ‘any occupation’ test, but definitions vary between funds and policies.
Some policies use different tests, including inability to perform your own occupation (less common in super), inability to perform basic daily activities, or home duties–based definitions.
The exact wording of your policy is critical.
Eligibility
Who qualifies?
You stopped working due to illness or injury and have not returned
Your hours reduced significantly because of your condition
You were medically retired or dismissed
You are on long-term sick leave or income protection
Your doctors have said you are unlikely to return to your previous work
You have multiple conditions affecting your ability to work
TPD claims are not limited to workplace injuries. They commonly arise from back and spinal conditions, chronic pain, cancer, heart conditions, neurological disorders, autoimmune disease, and psychiatric conditions such as PTSD, depression or anxiety.
The process
How it works
01
Confirm insurance cover
Your super fund (or multiple funds) must have held TPD cover at the relevant time. We identify all accounts and policies.
02
Identify the date of disablement
This is usually linked to when you stopped work or could no longer continue. We establish the correct timeline.
03
Apply the correct policy definition
The claim must match the exact wording of your policy. Some policies shift from ‘own occupation’ to ‘any suitable occupation’ over time — meaning they can become harder to qualify for, even if you still can’t return to your previous job. We analyse the definition that applies at the time of your claim and build your case around it.
04
Gather evidence
This includes medical reports, specialist opinions, employment history, and education and training background.
05
Lodge and manage the claim
The claim is submitted through the super fund and assessed by the insurer and trustee. We handle the entire process including any additional requests.
Common concerns
Questions people ask before they start
We hear these every day. Here’s what we tell people.
“I don’t think I’m ‘disabled enough’ to qualify”
The key issue is not whether you are ‘totally disabled’ in a general sense — it is whether you meet the specific definition in your policy. Insurers assess work capacity, not severity. Many successful claimants still manage daily activities.
“My super fund already told me I’m not covered”
Fund staff sometimes give incomplete or incorrect information. We independently verify your policy terms and definition dates. In many cases, cover that a fund says doesn’t exist still applies to your situation.
“I think it’s too late to claim”
People often assume it is too late — but valid claims can exist years after stopping work, depending on the circumstances. Claims are assessed based on when you last worked and whether insurance cover was active at that time.
“My claim was already rejected”
A rejection does not necessarily mean you are not entitled. Many claims are declined because the definition was applied incorrectly, medical evidence did not address the right issues, or the claim was not properly prepared. Decisions can often be challenged with further evidence.
Client stories
What our clients say
Friendly honest and helpful staff. Athelene was a pleasure to work with. Claimsplus Lawyers got the results for my TPD claim. Highly recommend this firm for anyone looking into a claim.
Claimsplus Lawyers have been amazing! I cannot recommend them more highly! Shoutout to Athelene in particular — she has been a tremendous advocate for me on my year long journey to receive my TPD claim! Thank you so much for all your hard work, dedication and support during this time.
Common questions
TPD Claims Through Super — Frequently asked questions
Most TPD claims take between 6 and 18 months. Complex cases involving appeals or disputes may take longer. We keep you updated at every stage.
In many cases, yes. Claims are assessed based on when you last worked, when your condition prevented you from working, and whether insurance cover was active at that time. People often assume it is too late — but valid claims can exist years after stopping work, depending on the circumstances.
A rejection does not necessarily mean you are not entitled. Many claims are declined because the definition was applied incorrectly, medical evidence did not address the right issues, or the claim was not properly prepared. In some cases, decisions can be challenged or reconsidered with further evidence.
Yes, in some cases. If you had multiple super funds with active TPD insurance at the relevant time, you may be able to make more than one claim. Each claim is assessed separately based on policy wording, cover status, and medical evidence.
We operate on a no win, no fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover your entitlement.
‘Own occupation’ means you can’t return to the job you were doing. ‘Any occupation’ means you can’t work in any role suited to your education, training, or experience. Most super-based policies use the any occupation test, though definitions vary between insurers.
Yes. TPD claims for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other psychiatric conditions are common. Many policies cover mental health — we review your policy terms and build the case around work capacity, not just diagnosis.
No. Insurers do not assess whether you are unwell — they assess work capacity. They look at whether your condition is permanent, whether treatment has stabilised, your ability to perform suitable work, your education, training and experience, and whether retraining is realistic.
TPD benefits vary widely depending on your level of cover. Many super policies range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars, sometimes more. The insured amount is set under the policy attached to your super at the time you stopped working.
TPD benefits held through super are usually paid into your super account first. Tax is generally relevant when money is withdrawn, not when the insurer pays the fund. Payments are made up of tax-free and taxable components, and the outcome depends on your age, withdrawal method, fund type, and whether the payment qualifies as a disability super benefit. Before withdrawing, it is important to obtain advice from a qualified tax or financial adviser.
A TPD claim does not automatically stop Centrelink payments. TPD payments from super are generally not treated as compensation. However, once withdrawn, the funds may affect payments such as Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, or Age Pension under income and assets tests. It is important to understand how withdrawal may affect your specific Centrelink position.